The Role of School Nurses in Managing Chronic Health Conditions in Children: Review

Abstract

Background: School nurses play a vital role in managing chronic conditions among children, contributing significantly to their health and well-being in educational settings. Despite their importance, the efficacy of school nursing interventions remains under-evaluated.

Methods: This review systematically evaluates peer-reviewed literature from 2020 to 2023 across multiple databases, including Medline and PubMed. The analysis focuses on school nurses’ interventions related to chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, and mental health issues. Key outcomes assessed include absenteeism, symptom management, and overall health improvement.

Results: The findings indicate that school nurse interventions have a positive impact on chronic condition management. Notably, a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that the presence of a school nurse reduced student absenteeism by an average of two days annually. Asthma management programs led by school nurses showed significant improvements in symptom control and reduced emergency visits. While obesity prevention efforts yielded mixed results, some programs effectively decreased BMI among participating students. Mental health interventions, though limited, demonstrated promising outcomes in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in children.

Conclusion: School nurses are essential in addressing chronic health conditions in children, leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced school attendance. However, ongoing research is needed to establish more robust evidence regarding their effectiveness, particularly in mental health and obesity management. Strengthening the role of school nurses could provide significant benefits to children’s health and educational performance.